Ruslana

2004 was a momentous year for Ruslana Stepanivna Lyzhychko. In May, the Ukrainian pop star won the absurd and spectacular Eurovision Song Contest with a leather-clad performance of her song 'Wild Dances.' In November, unrest in her country would lead to the Orange Revolution, a series of protests against the Ukrainian presidential election. The politically-minded singer supported the movement, dedicating a song to it ('Dance With the Wolves') and addressing crowds during rallies. That involvement lead to the singer becoming a member of the Ukrainian parliament for the Our Ukraine party from 2006-2007. She currently divides her time between music and various charitable, political and environmental causes.